The mid-size sedan market is a shrinking one, and that’s prompting car brands to either abandon the segment, or make their car as attractive as possible to buyers.
With the updated Sonata, it seems Hyundai is aiming for the latter, calling it “more than a simple facelift”.
The redesign for the South Korean brand’s mid-size sedan was revealed today ahead of the model’s international launch, with an exterior look based around the brand’s design philosophy of ‘The Sportiness’ and a face more in line with the brand’s recent creations.
Set to be launched globally later this week on March 30, the updated 2024 Hyundai not only appears to take on some design elements from recent cars like the Ioniq 6, it also features some ‘firsts’ for the brand.
The “aero-friendly” exterior is reminiscent of the Ioniq 6, which the brand specifically designed to reduce aerodynamic drag and improve driving range, while elements like the front light bar and the shape of the front grille are a combination of new and classic design language from the brand.
At the rear, its ‘fastback-like’ roofline culminates in a lip-spoiler style swoop, above new ‘H-light’ tail-lights which span the rear of the car.
Inside, the Sonata is the first model in the Hyundai stable to feature a curved widescreen that encases both the multimedia screen and the driver instrument panel, both measuring 12.3-inches.
Underneath the multimedia screen, a touch-screen for climate controls with physical dial wheels for temperature control can be found.
In 2022, Hyundai sold just 536 Sonatas in Australia among the 13,533 mid-size cars sold, down slightly from the 603 it sold the year before – when the segment numbered 18,011 sales.
During its stronger years, around 2016, the Sonata would sell in the region of 1500 a year.
Currently, only the Hyundai Sonata N-Line is available in Australia, with a turbocharged 2.5-litre four-cylinder engine making 213kW and 422Nm, starting from $52,065 before on-road costs.
Stay tuned for the complete global reveal of the new Sonata for full specifications, followed by confirmation from Hyundai Australia regarding which versions will be available Down Under, for how much, and when.
Keyword: Fresh look! 2024 Hyundai Sonata revealed with redesign to take on Toyota Camry, Mazda6!